Friday, June 17, 2016

St Alban the Protomartyr

The first Saint of Britain, also
known as Protomartyr, is St Alban. Numerous traditions relating to St. Alban are
very ambiguous, and it is impossible to verify various historical details and
traditions about this legendary saint. Nevertheless, during the 5th century a
Gallic saint named Alban, and a native of Britain was widely venerated both in
this country and on the continent. He was a soldier in the Roman army and,
according to the venerable Bede, was brought to faith in Christ by a fugitive
priest to whom he gave shelter. It is said that the priest’s name was
Amphibalus – but this is almost certainly a fictitious name given to him
because it is the Greek equivalent of Caracalla – or cloak – which played an
important part in one of the episodes of St. Alban’s martyrdom. Alban so
convinced of the priest’s holiness and authenticity, that he conveyed his wish
to become a Christian.

A local magistrate found out that
Alban was sheltering a priest and a group of soldiers was sent to arrest both
of them. When Alban realised what was about to happen, he exchanged clothes
with the priest, allowing him to escape, thus giving him the opportunity to
continue preaching the Gospel of Christ. When introduced to the magistrate he
was demanded to sacrifice to the pagan Gods. After his refusal he was sentenced
to be scourged, in order to make him recant, but to no avail. He was then
sentenced to death. On the day of his execution all the town gathered in order
to witness the event. However, the bridge by which the procession was to pass
was blocked by all the people. Alban prayed to God and the waters of the river
pulled back, thus creating a passageway. When observing this, the executioner
was so moved that he laid his sword to the protomartyr’s feet wishing that he
as well would be executed together with Alban. Upon reaching the spot of the
execution, the saint desired some water, and after praying to God a living
spring broke out near him.

After hearing the events that
took place, the magistrate was astonished. This admiration resulted in the
termination of all persecutions. When, eventually, the Church became the
established religion, a magnificent church was built on the spot of St. Alban’s
Martyrdom, near London, which is the oldest site of continuous Christian
worship in Britain.

Whether or not he was aware of
Christianity before the circumstances which led to his conversion is unknown,
nonetheless it likely that he would have had some experience of it. Despite the
fact that St. Alban is termed the ‘Protomartyr of England’, it is likely that
there were many other saintly figures in the British Isles, who lived and died
for their faith before him, especially during the reign and persecutions of
Emperor Diocletian. St. Alban is commemorated on the 17th of June.

St. Alban is so important to
English Christianity, that even an organisation which promotes
Anglican-Orthodox Relations is named after him: The Fellowship of St. Alban and
St. Sergius. This testifies the importance that England has played since the
early centuries of Christianity.

About Me

I have studied Theology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Theology, International Relations at the University of London (Queen Mary). My Master's Thesis was published as a book: 'The Aegean Sea Dispute Between Greece and Turkey - The Consequences for NATO and the EU'. For more information see: http://www.akakia.net/el/the-aegean-sea-dispute-between-greece-and-turkey
I have also studied Byzantine Music in Athens and I am currently undertaking a research on the “Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius and its contribution towards Anglican – Orthodox Relations”, at the University of Winchester.
I also represent the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain at the A.E.C.A. If you wish to contact me you can email me: demetrifs1@yahoo.com